From birth, your baby has a natural urge to communicate through smiles, crying and even baby screaming which you’ll soon get to know inside out. At first they’re mainly concerned with physical needs but each tell will help you confidently know if your baby is hungry, tired or in pain.

As your baby grows, they'll use an ever-wider range of gestures and sounds, developing their personality and unique ways of expressing themselves. You may not yet fully understand why your baby is crying, but it helps if you respond by talking to help your baby learn to communicate better later on.

You know your baby’s behaviour best so always trust your instincts. But to help you, here are examples of typical baby behaviour and what it means.

I'm sleepy

A slow build-up of grunt-like cries while rubbing eyes. This means baby is tired. So put them down for a nap or for bed

I'm in pain

A sudden high-pitched shriek followed by a big breath and then another shriek. Check their temperature and undress your baby and check for sources of pain. If you’re unsure of anything and your baby is still uncomfortable, see a healthcare professional as soon as possible

I’ve got colic

Baby may regularly shriek at similar times in the late afternoon or evening for up to a few hours. Their face may become flushed, scrunched up and they may clench their fists, draw their knees up to their tummy, or arch their back if they are in any kind of pain. Soothe and try tummy massage and winding to relieve the gas pain. Seek medical advice for further tips

I'm angry

Loud crying while going red in the face usually means they're feeling angry or frustrated. Talk to your baby in a calm voice and try to distract with a toy

I'm feeling ignored

Yelling is a common way for your baby to attract attention and explore the sound of their voice. Answer them – try some tickles, peek-a-boo or play with some toys

I'm scared

Freezing on the spot is a common, instant response to seeing or hearing something sudden that makes them feel scared. Comfort your baby with a cuddle and talk to them to explain what’s happening

I'm hungry

There are lots of signals your baby can give you to say they’re hungry. These signs, or feeding cues, are important to understand so that baby can guide how often and how much they feed. We’ve made a series of videos showing the most common cues to look out for HERE

I'm learning to talk

A regular babbling sound is your baby's way of trying to copy a grown-up's speech patterns. While you're getting to understand baby language they're exploring yours. Talk to your little one as much as you can and encourage them to repeat different sounds

I want that

Pointing at an object with their finger means they find it interesting and want to hold it. Offer your baby different objects to help them signal the one they want

I want to be picked up

Raising arms towards you means they want to be lifted up to be held or carried. Time to give your baby a cuddle

I want to play

Hiding their face in their hands is a typical way of getting your attention and means they're in a playful mood. Play peek-a-boo with hands and scarves